Expedia CruiseShipCenters Founder to be Honoured by Cruise Lines International Association

Michael Drever Becomes First Canadian Inducted into Cruise Industry Hall of Fame

Michael Drever, founder and past CEO of Expedia CruiseShipCenters, is being inducted into the 2013 Cruise Industry Hall of Fame by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). As a recipient of the Travel Advisor Innovator Award, Drever will be honoured at the association's Hall of Fame Dinner & Awards Gala on June 21, 2013 during the sold out Cruise3Sixty conference held in Vancouver, BC.

Drever becomes the first Canadian to join a prestigious group of more than 33 Hall of Fame industry leaders including fellow 2013 inductees: Mark Conroy, former president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Michelle Fee, co-founder and CEO of Cruise Planners. At the young age of 26, Drever invested $7,500 into a CruiseShipCenters franchise and within six months, was bringing in $100,000 in sales per month from his small Vancouver office. Over the next two decades Drever grew the company to 136 Canadian locations and an industry leader selling 20 percent of all cruises in Canada. After achieving a leadership position in both the cruise industry and the franchise community, Drever negotiated a partnership with Expedia Inc. in 2007 and rebranded the company to Expedia CruiseShipCenters.

"Mike's innovations are visible across the travel distribution landscape, from technology to marketing to franchising," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "The CLIA member lines are indebted to Mike for pioneering many aspects of the support we enjoy from travel agents today. He is truly deserving of induction into the CLIA Hall of Fame."

In addition to his many accomplishments in the cruise industry, Drever is well known for his contributions to entrepreneurship and franchising. He has served as President of Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) Vancouver chapter, as a board member of the Canadian Franchise Association, and on Travel Agent Advisory Boards of several cruise lines.

Today, under the leadership of president, Matthew Eichhorst, Expedia CruiseShipCenters has grown to 180 franchise locations, including 44 US stores operating in 17 different states. With 42 Million North Americans intending to take a cruise within the next 3 years, the company is poised for continued growth and is well on its way to achieving their vision of becoming the #1 Cruise Vacation Specialist in the World.

ABOUT EXPEDIA CRUISESHIPCENTERS

Expedia CruiseShipCenters provides exceptional value and expert advice for travelers booking cruises and vacations through its network of more than 180 franchise locations. As part of Expedia, Inc., the largest online travel company in the world, the company's 4,000 Vacation Consultants have been navigating spectacular vacation experiences for customers across North America for more than 25 years. Named a fast-growing franchise by MSN Money, Expedia CruiseShipCenters offers flexible, rewarding business opportunities for Consultants and Franchise Owners with a passion for travel.

Expedia is either a registered trademark or trademark of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.

ABOUT CLIA

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines, travel agents, port authorities and destinations, and various industry business partners before regulatory and legislative policy makers.

CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise holiday vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members. CLIA's Associate Member and Executive Partner program includes the industry's leading providers of supplies and services that help cruise lines provide a safe, environmentally-friendly and enjoyable holiday vacation experience for millions of passengers every year.